If you’re in the marketing game you know too well that creativity and strategy have to go hand-in-hand if you want to succeed.
Which is why hiring the right creative strategist could be a game-changer for your brand.
A great creative strategist doesn’t just sit around and dream up ideas — they have what it takes to turn those great ideas into actionable plans that drive real results for your business.
But with so many candidates out there, how do you know who is the perfect fit for you and your brand?
If you’re not sure, then we’ve got you covered! Today’s blog is guiding you through the essential traits to look for and the steps to take to hire the best creative strategist for your business.
Let’s get you one step closer to the perfect marketing team!
What is a Creative Strategist?
So, what exactly is a creative strategist?
A creative strategist is a professional — typically with a background in graphic design, marketing, communications, or strategy — who combines creative thinking with data-driven insight to create and execute marketing strategies that boost your business.
If you’re thinking that the role sounds like it requires a mix of creative and analytical skills, then you’re exactly right. A creative strategist is the person who bridges the gap between creativity and business strategy to keep your marketing and ad campaigns both innovative and effective.
What Does a Creative Strategist Do?
If you’re asking yourself, what does a creative strategist do all day, then we’re happy to fill you in.
Here are some key responsibilities of a good creative strategist:
- Concept Development — They come up with innovative ideas designed to resonate with your target audiences and differentiate your brand from competitors.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making — They use market research, consumer behavior analysis, and performance data to shape creative strategies.
- Collaboration — Creative strategists work closely with marketing teams, designers, and creative teams to bring ideas to life.
- Campaign Planning — They oversee marketing campaigns across different platforms, like social media and email, to make sure that they align with your business objectives and are effectively engaging your audience.
- Adaptability — They stay flexible and keep your campaigns updated based on trends, analytics, and your evolving business needs.
Key Traits to Look for in a Good Creative Strategist
If you’re convinced that hiring a creative strategist is a logical move for your business, then you’re probably right, friend.
And to help you find the right person for the job, here is a list of key traits that you should look for in a candidate:
Good Communicator
A good creative strategist needs to be able to communicate their ideas effectively to do their job right.
They communicate with clients, creatives, and different teams on a daily basis, meaning that they have to be able to confidently and clearly articulate strategy, the reasoning behind their creative decisions, and how those decisions align with a brand’s objectives.
They should also take feedback well and be able to quickly translate it into action for the team. Strong communication skills are crucial to make sure that projects are running smoothly, and everyone is on the same page.
Analytical and Data-Savvy
A good creative strategist has a head for numbers and must be comfortable analyzing and interpreting data.
Part of their job is to analyze information like market trends, consumer behavior, and campaign performance in order to make informed decisions and adjust marketing strategies as they go. This usually involves using tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, SEMrush, and more, and knowing how to use them effectively.
Being analytical and data-savvy lets creative strategists back up their creative ideas with solid evidence and continuously optimize campaigns for better results.
Experience
Experience is key in any field, and a creative strategist is no different.
They should have a strong background in marketing, branding, design, and more, with a proven track record of successful marketing campaigns. This experience lets them draw from previous projects to understand strategies that work and to anticipate challenges before they come up.
As a bonus, you should also look for someone who has experience in your specific industry or with brands that specialize in the same products and services you do, since this means the strategist has a better understanding of your target audience.
Problem Solver
Creative strategists are faced with challenges that require innovative solutions every day.
Whether it’s finding new ways to reach a target audience, optimizing an underperforming campaign, or differentiating your brand in an oversaturated market, they need to think both creatively and strategically to find a solution.
Excellent problem-solving skills let a creative strategy tackle these challenges head-on and find innovative and effective solutions that get results!
4 Steps to Hiring the Right Creative Strategist for Your Team
Now that you know what kind of candidate you’re looking for, the next step is to start the hiring process!
Before you start putting out job postings on LinkedIn, however, take some time to review the following steps so that you get the perfect candidate for the job.
1. Define Your Business Goals
Before you start your search for that perfect creative strategist, first think about your goals and the part this person will play in helping you reach them.
Ask yourself what specific challenges you want to address. Is it building brand awareness? Launching a brand-new product? Boosting customer engagement?
Whatever it is, having a clear understanding of your goals will help you tweak the job description to attract candidates who have the right skills and experience to meet your needs.
2. Review Their Portfolio
A creative strategist’s portfolio can tell you a lot about their style and their expertise!
Look for a diverse range of projects that demonstrate a clear ability to think creatively and strategically. Pay attention to the types of campaigns they’ve previously worked on too. This will let you in on the industries they’ve worked for and the type of results they were able to achieve.
3. In-Depth Interview
Once you’ve tweaked your job description and checked out the portfolio of some potential candidates, the next step is the interview.
Use this time to do a deeper dive into their experience, their creative process, and their problem-solving abilities. Don’t be afraid to ask questions either!
Here are some that will get you valuable information:
- What specific challenges have you faced?
- How do you develop your creative strategies?
- How do you measure success?
- How do you approach the problems that you’re likely to encounter with [Your Brand]?
These questions will give you some info about their strategic thinking and how they might handle challenges while working on your campaigns.
4. Cultural Fit
Finally, you want to make sure that your new hire “fits” with your brand.
Cultural fit is just as important as skills and experience, after all. A creative strategist needs to collaborate with different teams within your organization, so they should fit right in with your company’s values, work ethic, and communication style.
Consider how well your candidates would mesh with your existing team and how they approach teamwork. A candidate who fits right in is more likely to be happy at work, have a positive impact, and stay with you long-term!
Looking for Your Next Creative Strategist?
If this article has you pumped to start thinking about your goals and writing up a job description to post on LinkedIn, then that’s great! We are excited for you.
But before you write that job description, we want to invite you to take a look around. Because you’re already in the right place to find your next creative strategist.
When you partner with Designity, you’re instantly paired with a dedicated Creative Director — a creative strategist with 10+ years of experience in design and marketing. Your Creative Director will manage every aspect of your account, from sourcing and managing your creative team to guiding your marketing efforts with strategic insights and fresh, innovative ideas!
And with their guidance, paired with the efforts of a creative team made up of the best of the best in fields like graphic design, video production, copywriting, web design, digital marketing, and more, your next campaign will have everything it needs to grab your audience, deliver your message, and get you the results you’re looking for.
Why not take a look at our community portfolio to see how Designity’s innovative Creative as a Service platform has been the missing piece that brands just like yours were looking for?
If our style vibes with yours, then go ahead and book your demo call. We’ll get you started with your two-week, no-obligation trial so you can test-drive our 100+ marketing and design services and see firsthand why Designity is the only design and strategy partner your brand will ever need!
Are you ready to elevate your creative strategy?
